Traveling into the US with Alcohol
Dec 7th, 2016, 08:54 AM
#21
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What are some whiskeys, rums, and wines you guys suggest? Just curious as to what people think would be worth bringing back
Rums? Nothing. Rum is really a Caribbean and Latin American thing. If you want craft rum, go to Boston, not Europe.
Whiskeys... Like I said above, whiskey is so global that you can find most of it all over the world. I mean, my biggest "find" I've ever had in Europe was 3 bottles of Pappy (Kentucky Bourbon) at Selfridge's back in 2010 (?), after it had gone full stupid in the US but the frenzy hadn't reached Europe yet. Since you mentioned Irish Whiskey, I quite liked Power's John's Lane. You can get it in the US, but it is a nice souvenir and not ridiculously priced. If you have euro 300 burning a hole in your pocket, Midleton's Barry Crocket Legacy is amazing. For Scotch, I'm a big Bruichladdich fan, though again, they are owned by one of the big boys (Remy?) and even stuff like Octomore or a vintage Islay Barley can be had at a well-stocked US retailer.
Wine... I covered my thoughts above. I'd stick with Austrian wines. Loimer is one of my favored wineries for gruner veltliner. Moric is a top producer for Blaufrankisch, and I would keep an eye out for them.
You might give Armagnac a look.
Rums? Nothing. Rum is really a Caribbean and Latin American thing. If you want craft rum, go to Boston, not Europe.
Whiskeys... Like I said above, whiskey is so global that you can find most of it all over the world. I mean, my biggest "find" I've ever had in Europe was 3 bottles of Pappy (Kentucky Bourbon) at Selfridge's back in 2010 (?), after it had gone full stupid in the US but the frenzy hadn't reached Europe yet. Since you mentioned Irish Whiskey, I quite liked Power's John's Lane. You can get it in the US, but it is a nice souvenir and not ridiculously priced. If you have euro 300 burning a hole in your pocket, Midleton's Barry Crocket Legacy is amazing. For Scotch, I'm a big Bruichladdich fan, though again, they are owned by one of the big boys (Remy?) and even stuff like Octomore or a vintage Islay Barley can be had at a well-stocked US retailer.
Wine... I covered my thoughts above. I'd stick with Austrian wines. Loimer is one of my favored wineries for gruner veltliner. Moric is a top producer for Blaufrankisch, and I would keep an eye out for them.
You might give Armagnac a look.
Dec 7th, 2016, 10:45 AM
#22
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Big Russ - I guess the Europe board and Adele is a big enough sample set 
I do realize that European beer snobbery remains among those who don't bother to keep up with the times. As I said though, anyone who is paying attention at all has figured out by now that the US makes some absolutely incredible beer.
I do realize that European beer snobbery remains among those who don't bother to keep up with the times. As I said though, anyone who is paying attention at all has figured out by now that the US makes some absolutely incredible beer.
Dec 7th, 2016, 12:05 PM
#23
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Is this the Loimer desired? It's $16 on wine.com
http://www.wine.com/v6/Loimer-Lois-G...74/Detail.aspx
They sell some Loimer wines in my state (Maryland). The Post did an article on good value Austrian wines and they are mentioned
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...=.3c9da773f4d8
maybe TG can comment on their choices, although I guess they are all white now that I think of it, Gruner Veltliner (which I do quite like from Austria) and Riesling. I do buy Austrian Gruner Veltliners where I live and there are plenty that aren't that expensive here.
http://www.wine.com/v6/Loimer-Lois-G...74/Detail.aspx
They sell some Loimer wines in my state (Maryland). The Post did an article on good value Austrian wines and they are mentioned
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...=.3c9da773f4d8
maybe TG can comment on their choices, although I guess they are all white now that I think of it, Gruner Veltliner (which I do quite like from Austria) and Riesling. I do buy Austrian Gruner Veltliners where I live and there are plenty that aren't that expensive here.
Dec 7th, 2016, 12:33 PM
#24
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Two travel and imported alcohol stories. When daughter and I were in Tuscany we had a lunch at a farm/vineyard - tables over-looking magnificent farm land, vineyards behind us, cows grazing. Fantastic weather, good food, and probably the best wine I had ever tasted. If course, we bought multiple bottles to bring back. Somehow, it did not taste nearly as good without the fairy tale setting.
And in Puerto Rico took the free tour of the Bacardi factory. They give you multiple free drinks, put you on a silly tram for a tour, of course ending in the gift shop - where we bought multiple bottles of the same rum one can get in the US for less. After the nice little tour and free drinks, we were somehow convinced if we did not buy Bacardi then and there, we would never see it again.
I am left thinking that with the right setting, I would haul back Two-Buck-Chuck from California.
And in Puerto Rico took the free tour of the Bacardi factory. They give you multiple free drinks, put you on a silly tram for a tour, of course ending in the gift shop - where we bought multiple bottles of the same rum one can get in the US for less. After the nice little tour and free drinks, we were somehow convinced if we did not buy Bacardi then and there, we would never see it again.
I am left thinking that with the right setting, I would haul back Two-Buck-Chuck from California.
Dec 7th, 2016, 02:04 PM
#25
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Is this the Loimer desired? It's $16 on wine.com
That is one of them. They have a few different labels. All are relatively affordable, as is generally true for Austrian gruner.
They sell some Loimer wines in my state (Maryland).
My old shop would order it for us, but it wasn't normally kept on the shelf. I've also seen it on wine lists. I haven't spent much time looking online - I only recently moved from MA, where buying wine online was not really practical due to local laws. But, yes, that availability may be worth keeping in mind.
maybe TG can comment on their choices
I will comment, but I am such a sucker for gruner (it is really the only white I drink), that I'll end up sounding like a shill for the Austrian wine bureau. Of the ones they list, I have had the Loimer (Riesling, which I am not as big on as their gruners), the Berger (great value, not much complexity, but good for summer), and Schlosskellerei (which I agree with their assessment). One thing that I pick up in Austrian gruners that they don't really emphasize is what I call a "flintiness". They talk about a hint of talc for the Tegernseerhof, which I suspect is getting at the same flavor, but I get that for a lot of Austrian gruners and it is something that I really love.
It is a shame they didn't review some of the reds, but as I said, I see them very rarely in the US, so that may explain it.
Somehow, it did not taste nearly as good without the fairy tale setting.
Ain't that always the case? Another risk I find is that, if you are spending a day tasting, by the end, your palate can be tired. When tired, I sometimes make some (mildly) regrettable choices.
That is one of them. They have a few different labels. All are relatively affordable, as is generally true for Austrian gruner.
They sell some Loimer wines in my state (Maryland).
My old shop would order it for us, but it wasn't normally kept on the shelf. I've also seen it on wine lists. I haven't spent much time looking online - I only recently moved from MA, where buying wine online was not really practical due to local laws. But, yes, that availability may be worth keeping in mind.
maybe TG can comment on their choices
I will comment, but I am such a sucker for gruner (it is really the only white I drink), that I'll end up sounding like a shill for the Austrian wine bureau. Of the ones they list, I have had the Loimer (Riesling, which I am not as big on as their gruners), the Berger (great value, not much complexity, but good for summer), and Schlosskellerei (which I agree with their assessment). One thing that I pick up in Austrian gruners that they don't really emphasize is what I call a "flintiness". They talk about a hint of talc for the Tegernseerhof, which I suspect is getting at the same flavor, but I get that for a lot of Austrian gruners and it is something that I really love.
It is a shame they didn't review some of the reds, but as I said, I see them very rarely in the US, so that may explain it.
Somehow, it did not taste nearly as good without the fairy tale setting.
Ain't that always the case? Another risk I find is that, if you are spending a day tasting, by the end, your palate can be tired. When tired, I sometimes make some (mildly) regrettable choices.
Dec 7th, 2016, 02:57 PM
#26
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I don't bring wine home anymore. What I do bring is liquors I can't get in the US (or you can but they are really expensive.) What other countries will you visit on your semester abroad? Seek out the local libations... there is a lot out there you just won't find at home.
Dec 7th, 2016, 03:07 PM
#27
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Rialtogrl, I plan on traveling through out Austria, Italy, Ireland, some of Poland, some Germany, little bit of France, a bit of Romania, Spain, and Belgium.
Those are the places I hope to be able to travel to!
Those are the places I hope to be able to travel to!
Seek out the unusual and you'll have the coolest liquor cabinet when you return.
Dec 8th, 2016, 08:31 AM
#29
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>
This is true. But consider not only the Europeans who don't pay attention but the Americans. Easiest parallel is the Americans who post about "American cuisine" and mention fast food restaurants. Jayzeezus, what ignorance!
For Steve: don't buy rum in Europe. As for whiskeys - go to a shop in Ireland that specializes and ask the sellers there what isn't available in the US and what they'd recommend. The booze hawkers tend to love talking about their goods.
This is true. But consider not only the Europeans who don't pay attention but the Americans. Easiest parallel is the Americans who post about "American cuisine" and mention fast food restaurants. Jayzeezus, what ignorance!
For Steve: don't buy rum in Europe. As for whiskeys - go to a shop in Ireland that specializes and ask the sellers there what isn't available in the US and what they'd recommend. The booze hawkers tend to love talking about their goods.
Dec 8th, 2016, 09:25 AM
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thanks for the comments, TG, I think I have a bottle of that Berger in my wine cellar, I was leery because it was a 1L bottle and seemed almost too cheap. BUt I figured, why not. I generally drink red wine but like a few whites as long as they are not sweet.
Dec 8th, 2016, 10:17 AM
#32
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I generally drink red wine
I highly recommend seeking out Austrian Blaufrankisch then. As I noted, Moric is great. Here is a (glowing) write up on the winery.
http://www.vinography.com/archives/2...laufrnkis.html
I highly recommend seeking out Austrian Blaufrankisch then. As I noted, Moric is great. Here is a (glowing) write up on the winery.
http://www.vinography.com/archives/2...laufrnkis.html
Dec 10th, 2016, 12:59 AM
#33
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Not a drinker so I don't know, but have heard that the Guinness stout sold in the British Isles is better than what's exported. Any truth to this? And if so and one really likes this beer, maybe that's a reason to bring some back?
